Hull hurdle awaits Arsenal

Arsenal has a gilt-edged opportunity to end its increasingly burdensome nine-year trophy drought on Saturday when the underachieving English giant meets Hull City in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

Not since 2005, and an FA Cup final victory on penalties against Manchester United in Cardiff, has Arsenal won a piece of silverware, and the frustration has become more pronounced with each passing season.

Portsmouth, Birmingham City, Swansea City and Wigan Athletic are among the teams that have tasted cup glory since Arsenal last won something, while United and Chelsea have amassed 25 trophies between them in that period.

Consistent qualification for the Champions League has kept Arsenal among the European elite, but the achievements of manager Arsene Wenger's 17-year tenure risk being undermined if the skid does not end soon.

Another disappointment against Hull would also leave the 64-year-old Frenchman in a delicate position ahead of negotiations to extend his contract, which is due to expire at the end of the season.

Hull, which has never previously reached an FA Cup final and finished 16th in the Premier League, looks to be ideal cannon fodder, but bitter experience has taught Arsenal not to underestimate supposedly weaker opponents.

The Gunners lost to Birmingham in the 2011 League Cup final after an 89th-minute mix-up between goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Laurent Koscielny led to the winning goal, and they needed penalties to defeat Wigan in this season's FA Cup semifinals.

Wenger said his players succumbed to "nerves" against second-tier Wigan, which was the defending champion, but believes his team should take heart from the manner of that victory.

"We played against a good team," said the Arsenal manager, whose side has not played outside London once during the competition.

"Let's not forget Wigan went to Man City and won (in the quarterfinals). So we knew we were super favorites, not at our best and that we played against a team that has made some great results.

"I don't believe we need any warning. We know that a final is a final, that Hull is a Premier League team. They can pass the ball, they can create chances.

"It's just down to us to perform well on the day of the game. We just want to focus on that."

Brink of obscurity

While victory would see Arsenal equal United's overall record of 11 FA Cup wins, Hull's trophy cabinet is completely devoid of major honors. The 110-year-old club is looking to cap a remarkable recovery from the brink of obscurity.

Having played in the English fourth tier as recently as 2004, Hull went close to bankruptcy after being relegated from the Premier League in 2010, only to be saved by Egypt-born local businessman Assem Allam.

His backing enabled Hull to return to the Premier League, but he sparked anger this season by attempting to change the club's name to "Hull City Tigers" in an effort to make it more marketable.

An ill-tempered standoff with supporters ensued, but his plans were rejected by the Football Association.

"It's a new experience for me as a manager and it's a wonderful achievement for the club and the city," said manager Steve Bruce, a two-time FA Cup-winner as a player with Manchester United.

"It's a working-class city and if we can bring the cup back and give it something to shout about, it would be terrific."

Hull, which is already assured of a place in the Europa League, will be without cup-tied strikers Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long, while centerback James Chester seems certain to miss out with a hamstring problem.

Winger Robbie Brady (groin) could play, and goalkeeper Allan McGregor is also in contention despite sustaining broken ribs, kidney damage and internal bleeding during a game at West Ham United seven weeks ago.

Arsenal will hand late fitness tests to midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) and club captain Thomas Vermaelen (knee).

Jack Wilshere is in line to play after two months out with a fractured foot, while Wenger is expected to persevere with second-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who has stood in for Szczesny in the cups this season.

(China Daily 05/17/2014 page15)